Museum Building Manager

Williams College, London•Williamstown, MA

1d•$85,000 - $95,000•Onsite

About The Position

Williams College Museum of Art (WCMA) is seeking a technically skilled leader and highly collaborative team member as a Museum Building Manager to lead the start-up and operational excellence of the first purpose-built art museum for Williams College, designed by Solid Objectives Idenburg Liu and currently under construction. This pivotal role is responsible for the care of a highly specialized building and is a guardian and interpreter of architectural excellence and integrity, holding and documenting the primary knowledge base for the physical facility. They are a partner in programmatic functioning who ensures the day to day safety and smooth function of the building for our students, staff, visitors, and valuable collections. The ideal candidate possesses hands-on expertise in building systems and experience managing vendors. Onboarding during the final phase of construction, the Museum Building Manager will be an active participant with the design and construction team in building commissioning, punch list, and start-up of operations anticipated in the fall of 2027. They will become deeply informed about the advanced sustainability features of the museum design in order to monitor and report on activities and data required to achieve WCMA’s ambitious sustainability goals. They will be passionate about participating with museum staff in teaching the sustainable building and site features to students, many of whom will become the museum leaders of the future. This job description is intended to describe the basic responsibilities of the role and the work being performed. Given the evolving nature of operations planning for a new building and expanded museum program, it is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities. Other responsibilities may be assigned as needed. Williams is deeply committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. The successful candidate will work effectively and respectfully with faculty, staff, students, and vendors from a variety of diverse backgrounds in a collaborative setting.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Engineering preferred or equivalent in degree, certifications and experience
Minimum of 5 years proven experience in building management, facilities operations, or a related field; preferably in a museum, gallery, or similar cultural institution
Demonstrated technical knowledge of building systems, including HVAC, electrical, and plumbing; preferably familiar with building systems requirements for the preservation and protection of art collections
Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to collaborate with diverse teams, both internal and external; ability to coordinate and delegate tasks effectively
Excellent problem-solving abilities and a proactive approach to facility maintenance
Ability to properly analyze the physical environment and assess the inherent risk associated with working around and, as needed, above works of art.
Move carefully and confidently within confined spaces and among the museum's valuable objects on display.
Understanding of the physical nature of facilities work and its nontraditional work schedule; ability to work periodic evening and weekend events.
Ability to handle complaints, conflicts, or difficult situations calmly and diplomatically to resolve issues.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in art museums, enthusiastic about mission-driven arts and education institutions
Experience working with college or university facilities, grounds and dining services

Responsibilities

Serve as the expert on the museum’s physical facilities
While still under construction, you represent WCMA when participating with the design and construction team during commissioning, punch list and move-in activities; participates in Owner-Architect-Contractor meetings (2026-27)
With Deputy Director for Operations and Art Services, manage procurements, develop the operations manual for the new building, maintain as-built construction documents, manuals and warranties
Work closely with Office of Planning, Design & Construction to facilitate any warranty actions post project turnover and collect, assess and report data required for sustainability goals
Collect and interpret building data as needed for grant reporting and start-up facilities report for future loans of art, insurance, accreditation, and other purposes
Play an active role in the physical move of staff and physical assets from Lawrence Hall to the new building
Partners with museum colleagues, College partners and contractors critical to building functions
As a primary caretaker of the museum building, you share on-call responsibilities for emergencies and incidents 24/7.
You bring your experience and expertise to monitor the Building Management System, identify risks to the systems and operations, proactively identify and address potential maintenance issues to prevent service disruptions.
Act as primary point-person to facilitate work orders with Williams College Facilities for general building repair and maintenance support
Work closely with the Security Manager and the Manager of Museum Experience and Events for the front line, day-to-day building needs and event set-up; foster a positive and flexible work environment
Oversee and project manage specialized contracts to ensure the signature building materials are maintained in a manner fitting for an art museum: examples include periodic curtainwall washing, cyclical refinishing of the mass timber structure, and cleaning the aluminum-shingled roof and staggered masonry exterior.
Manage the budget for contracts relying on restricted endowment fund for specialized maintenance of museum building
Main point of contact with Williams’s grounds team and contractors to oversee landscape maintenance, monitoring and snow management for the 6+ acre site
Main point of contact with Williams’s custodial team and contractors to facilitate waste management
Participate in long-range building improvement planning in conjunction with the College’s CIR process
Performs and facilitates routine museum building tasks
You contribute to annual budget planning, including managing a dedicated maintenance budget.
Before the final move from Lawrence Hall, you provide support to WCMA’s existing facilities as necessary, and are a leader on the team for “the big move.”
Coordinate staff moves and facilitates work orders to support new staff workspaces
Coordinate staff assignments for receiving and distribution of all incoming mail, UPS, and FedEx packages
Collaborate with staff across museum to ensure staff assignments for maintenance of lockers for the public and students in the lobby areas
Direct custodial and grounds team members to maintain outdoor patio furniture and hard-scape areas, light grounds work, including light power washing and leaf blowing
With museum preparation staff, perform maintenance of gallery spaces such as light carpentry and light custodial work
Facilitate the routine maintenance, housekeeping, monitoring and coordination necessary at the Library Shelving Facility in partnership with museum Collection staff, CSS, Facilities and Library staff
Promote an inclusive and accessible environment, act as a teaching and learning partner
As a member of the project team during construction, you will become deeply informed about the advanced sustainability features of the museum design. Your role in monitoring and collecting data, and reporting on activities, helps the museum meet the ambitious sustainability standards set as goals for the project.
Participate with museum staff in teaching the sustainable building and site features to students, many of whom will become the museum leaders of the future